Pennsylvania Security Guard Classes & Philadelphia Training

Pennsylvania Security Guard License Requirements

In Pennsylvania, Security Guard licenses are acquired through the city clerk’s office. The process is in depth and involves petitioning a court for a license. It may be helpful to have legal council throughout the process. For those wishing to pursue security, the best bet is to apply for entry level security jobs with licensed and ensured security companies in Philadelphia, or greater Pennsylvania. Once hired, the company can assist in the process of meeting any state requirements for licensing and certification as they are more familiar with laws and procedures.

Unarmed guards in Pennsylvania need to be 18 and graduated high school. Hopefuls need to have a clean criminal background check, or they will not get very far in the process. All security guards are expected to be lawful, upstanding citizens who are ready to protect other citizens and property. The job as a security guard is an important part of the Pennsylvania law enforcement hierarchy which is in place to provide protection for property and people. Some of the items you will need to have (or have proof of) when you go before the judge to petition for your license are: passport photos, letters of character reference, proof of clearance of criminal background check, and fingerprint cards and appropriate fees. The cost of the actual license is $200, in addition to other fingerprinting and background check fees.

Philadelphia – Armed Security Guards

If you are wishing to become an armed security guard in the Philadelphia PA, you need to be at least 21 years old. As will the unarmed guards, the petition for license will be filed with your local county clerk’s officer (or city clerk’s office). The petition should include all of the above types of items (fingerprinting, passport photos, proof of security guard training or qualification, background check forms, letters of character witness, employment history, etc.). There currently is not a requirement for the length or type of security guard training in Pennsylvania, however, since it is up to the judge as to whether or not your license will be approved it would be recommended to have enough proof of your qualifications as possible. Other states require up to 40 or even 80 hours of course training on security guard skills, weapons safety and use, laws etc. If your goal it to ensure licensure it may be wise to obtain as many security guard training courses and as much experience prior to going before the judge.

Philadelphia PA – Security Guard Jobs

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area has over 26,000 security guard jobs on record with the US Department of Labor Statistics. If you narrow the region to just the Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division, there are still nearly 19,000 security jobs listed. This ranks Philadelphia PA among the top 10 metropolitan areas with the highest employment level for the security guard occupation. Pittsburgh, PA follows with 10,190 jobs, followed by Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA (2,390), Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (2,210) and Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA (1,610). You may see some job listings here. The market for security guard jobs in Philadelphia and greater Pennsylvania is anticipated to rise in the coming years.

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